Prohibition, Casino Royale, and Tiki.
This week our best friends asked if we wanted to check out a cocktail making class and once I saw that it was prohibition themed and being hosted by a Mid-Century bank turned swanky restaurant, it was an automatic "Yes" from us.
The Vault was originally built in 1958-1960 and operated as a an auto bank and after ownership changed hands a time or two, it finally closed it's doors in the 1990's. Luckily a Tulsa woman swooped in, renovated, and breathed new life into it. The restaurant also operates as an event space and serves American fare as well as the best Cuban I have had in a long time.
The atmosphere: warm and inviting.
The service: attentive and speedy.
The cocktail menu: wide ranging and tasty.
My favorite cocktail of the night had to be the Hemingway Daquiri because I think grapefruit juice needs to be a staple at every bar. But I had a certain attachment to the Vesper Martini because it had a twist and I immediately said that it HAD to be named after the Bond girl from the 2006 masterpiece Casino Royale. When the gentelman leading the class was showing how to make the cocktail and telling us how he came up with it, he confirmed my guess and told us it was indeed inspired by the 2006 masterpiece that is Casino Royale. I was very excited.
The man leading the class was very charming and informative. Did you know that bathtub gin made with corn was a huge thing during prohibition? Because I did not. I'm thinking I may have to get into gin making, because how hard can it be? (I'll spring for glass bottles). He also gave us a run down of the best glasses to use for each drink and how apparently champagne flutes actually don't do anything for the taste or quality of champagne? It's all just for show.
The class lasted for a few hours and instead of calling it a night we decided to grab a drink at a tiki bar called the Saturn Room. A few Mai Tais and a few Mystery Tikis and a lot of laughs were had. They sold their Mai Tai glasses, and now i'm a proud owner of the coolest Catoosa Blue Whale glass you ever did see.
It was a great night and was definitely a great choice for my new thing for this week!